RECORD competitive entries, top-quality entertainment and perfect weather ensured the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show was a success.
For the fifth time in the past 11 years, a new record for competitive entries was set - 33,529 across the 62 sections.
It was also the first time the show had been held over two full weekends, to mark 175 years of the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA.
Show general manager Michelle Hocking said the overall program had received fantastic feedback but added that the 2014 show was also one of the saddest in its history, after the tragic death of a young girl on the show ride on Friday last week.
"The quality of the entertainment has received really high praise. Visitors particularly enjoyed the vintage machinery trail and the Tinker-Tailor-Fashion Maker fashion parades with one lady telling us she had been eight times," he said.
Although official attendance figures are not yet available, Ms Hocking said more than 500,000 people had passed through the gates in the 10 days, equating to nearly a third of the SA population.
"The SA community should be praised for their active involvement in the show both as competitors and also the support of the business community, with 400-plus commercial exhibitors," she said.
"There is also a really good volunteer base, with 50 staff and the rest volunteers.
"If the SA community did not still believe in the show it would not be where it is today."
About 500 babies born during the show will be eligible for life-time free entry, as part of the society's special offer for its milestone year.
Many exhibitors got into the spirit of the celebrations, including the committee responsible for the pigeon and poultry section who dressed in period costume for their judging on the first Friday of the show.
Also marking a milestone was The Department of Education's Agriculture Learning Centre which celebrated 30 years at the Show, and the Exhibition Dairy, which turned 21 this year.